Posts from — June 2008

 Maybe someone should have tried the no!no!

Alright, ladies.  Another no!no! review is up for you to read. Hopefully you won’t hate me after you read it.

Every once in a while I run across products that I think are a good buy or just a good idea in general. Here a few fun finds that I came across in the last few months that I thought I should share.

Finally someone has come up with a more green, yet still convenient, replacement for paper plates. Earth Shell has started making paper plates and bowls are made from limestone, corn and potatoes, and are completely biodegradable in water. They’re also microwavable and won’t get soggy while heating liquids and greasy foods. A package of 25 is only $2.49 . You can look here to see what stores near you carry them so you don’t have to pay on shipping. I suppose it is still greener to bring a washable plate or bowl, but this is a better alternative to plastic or Styrofoam plates.

I think this is a really cute idea but definitely a splurge or a gift item. Cargo makes a lipstick called “Plant Love” that has wildflower seeds embedded in the paper packaging it comes in. So for $20 you get a very pretty shade of lipstick (Lindsey pictured above) and a pretty plant.

Hostess with the Mostess posted about these great chalkboard napkin rings from the MoMA store. You can use chalk to mark the name of your guest on the ring, using the ring to not only hold the napkin but also as a place card. Unfortunately they are$65 for a set of four. However, I think it would be very easy to buy plain wooden napkin rings somewhere and paint them with blackboard paint, which they sell at Home Depot. Same great idea, new improved price!

Blunt Money has a great article (which I found via Fabulously Broke) on how to clean your email box. While Gmail has a great spam blocker, it is annoying to watch the growing count of unread email in your Spam box. If you are like me and her, you delete the spam everyday because it bugs you . It really is a useless task since Gmail automatically deletes it for you after 30 days. Blunt Money came up with a filter you can use to make your Gmail see spam as “read” messages. Therefore, no need to watch the growing spam! Brilliant!

Lately there has been a lot of talk over how potentially bad for our health drinking out of disposable plastic water bottles can be. I didn’t know I was loading my body with potential carcinogens so I started using a glass Voss bottle which I refill.  A week ago I realized the downside of carrying around a glass bottle when I dropped it and it shattered all over the place.  So here are two other options I figured I would share.  Camelbak makes a BPA free bottle that is safer than disposable water bottles and lacks that “plasticy” aftertaste with repeated use.  They are the safe choice for under $20.  The Sigg bottle seems to also be a popular choice.  Made by a Swiss company these bottles have taste and scent neutral liners that don’t leave a lingering smell or taste of the last beverage you drank. They are also manufactured in an ecologically-friendly environment and are 100% recyclable after their very long lives.  They are the long lasting choice for just over $20.

Man! Brides-to-be are feisty girls!

Any blog you read about saving money will tell you that there is really one basic rule to having more money. You either have to make more money or spend less money. Sounds simpler than it is.

My fiance is a pretty talented amateur photographer when not at his day job. A few months ago we came up with the crazy idea to match his photography skills and my design skills to start a wedding photography business. We wanted a way to boost our income in a fun way. I didn’t want to mention it until I got the website done and a decent portfolio of shots for people to look at but it seems to be really taking off now.

We have been trying to come up with some inexpensive ways to advertise ourselves. Craigslist has been pretty successful for us but my fiance wanted to branch out. I didn’t know that he got the idea to put up a message on The Knot message boards. He wrote about us starting our business together and how we are offering wedding photography at a bargain price in order to start our portfolio. Of course, as a bride-to-be I have an account on The Knot so he used my login, but you are technically you are not allowed to advertise on The Knot message boards. While our website got a record number of hits, which is nice, we also got a lot of heated brides leaving us messages. We had brides telling us they were putting us on their “vendors-never-to-use” list and starting a “war” against us for breaking the sacred knot rules. Thanks to my fiance I had my account “reported” by these feisty brides and they revoked the post. I have only been engaged for two weeks and my fiance has had me black-balled from the wedding community!

Beware before starting a business with loved ones. It takes patience

When I find a nail polish color that works for me I don’t want to let it go. But the second it starts to get goopy my self-done manicure starts looking sloppy and it bugs me. I have always heard putting a drop of acetone nail-polish remover or clear nail polish into your favorite lacquer will extend the life a little longer, but ultimately it ruins it. Well, SuperNail nail polish thinner will replenish your older polishes and make them new again. At $2.99 this saves my favorite colors and the cost of replacing them!

I noticed JuiceFairy put up a post about some nice deals at Ann Taylor Loft the other day and so I thought some online coupons for Ann Taylor and other popular clothing stores would make a very useful post. Especially as we get close to Summer and bathing suit season. Wow, I never thought I would be referencing bathing suit season. But hey, any excuse to pass along some great online coupons!

Please contact me if your favorite online store is not on my list and I will personally do my best to find you a coupon code!

Ann Taylor Loft.com

Save 15% Off your $75+ order -or- 20% Off your $150+ order

Coupon Code: 10601421

Expiration: 6/01/08

See All: Ann Taylor Loft Coupons

American Eagle Outfitters.com

Save 20% Off your Online Purchase

Coupon Code: 46561422

Expiration: 6/03/08

See All: American Eagle Coupons

Petite Sophisticate.com

Save 20% Off your $75+ Online Order

Coupon Code: 776576407

Expiration: 6/30/08

See All: Petite Sophisiticate Coupons

Lane Bryant.com

Save 20% Off your Online Order

Coupon Code: 000203838

Expiration: 6/01/08

See All: Lane Bryant Coupons

Wilsons Leather.com

Save 20% Off your $100+ order + Free Shipping (Discount appears at checkout)

Coupon Code: None Needed

Expiration: 6/08/08

See All: Wilsons Coupons

Shoebuy.com

Save 10% Off your order Plus Free Shipping and No sales tax

Coupon Code: SHOEBUY

Expiration: 6/30/08

See All: Shoebuy.com Coupons

Woman Within.com

Get 30% Off the Highest Priced item in your order

Coupon Code: WW20555

Expiration: 6/30/08

See All: Woman Within Coupons

Fashion Bug.com

Save 15% Off your Online Purchase

Coupon Code: 776214603

Expiration: 6/18/08

See All: Fashion Bug Coupons